I do like the little toy cab-over-engine trucks the rest of the world has access to. We have lots of little alleyways and small yards, so something compact with a dump bed would be just right. Twin rear axles might be nice for when it’s muddy. Well, I finally stumbled on the just the thing (last summer,obviously), and it’s 100% American too. My neighbors will be thrilled to see me come rumbling down the alley, especially when I give that air horn a good yank.
I agree with you about all the great little trucks all over the world, but not here. I would love to own a little cabover 4×4 diesel truck with a dump bed. The parks department here in Salem operates a fleet of them to maintain the state fairgrounds and the state Capitol.
Like this
I knew a guy who bought something similar to that and slapped a pick up truck flatbed on it. Apparently his diesel Ford Pickup got fuel economy that was far too high for his taste.
Its a tradeoff of operating cost vs. purchase price. You can find an older semi on Copart or Truckpaper for cheap ($3-5k) if its a undesirable brand and/or configuration. One of my friends just bought mid 80s GMC Brigadier 2axle off a beer distributor for less that $3k.
Figure a Semi-Tractor bobtailing around gets 8-10 mpg depending on the size of the engine (7-15L), gearing, etc. If you only use it for a few hauling chores and keep it under a few 1000 miles/yr the MPG won’t be too painful.
There is a point where the depreciation curves cross around the 8-10yr mark where a Diesel Pickup Truck that cost $35-50k new is worth more than a class 8 truck that sold for $90-120k+. The big variable is how much it costs to register, if you can get your old big rig on some sort of discounted farm use or historic plates its a good deal.
Something like that with a 6v-53 would be awesome! Wind up that “Screamin Jimmy” and forget about air horns.
Gruss Gott!
What IS that thing?
Possibly a 3500/1 ton pickup or van with a specially made cab mounted on it and a 3rd axle installed (possibly a lazy axle rather than bogie drive?).
There are kits you can buy to turn such a pickup into a conventional semi tractor, no doubt a cabover would present a few more challenges.
Little Big Rig out of Nashville Tennessee. I have been up there. We really considered it however there kits only fits certain year pickups. There has been a few modified to fit later models. They are around $27,000.00 for the kit. We are Retired and still thinking about building one to pull our 5TH wheel toy hauler.
OK, whose leg do I have to hump to get some seat time in that? And really, wtf? Is it an RC model? Some sort of exceptionally elaborate 1/2 scale replica? Rebodied otc truck?
This what people do in retirement; I assume a former trucker. I forgot what it has for an engine. It’s at Powerland; I’ll check this summer.
I think this was built by a quality control inspector (Blackie Devoe) at Freightliner Corporation many many years ago. I do remember working for the man and I believe my dad was part of the process and help fabricate some of the parts.
Here are some wood 1/2 scale models.
http://www.eastcoastminiclassics.com/PeterbiltDozer.cfm
More here (scroll down): http://craftsmanshipmuseum.com/Heim.htm
Those people have WAY too much time on their hands
Steve, it’s just the tip of the iceberg:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Live_steam
That Ferrari is just mind boggling. I find myself wondering: “why not just do it full scale? Then at least you could drive it.”
I’ve always liked cab-over-engine trucks. With the engine under the the driver rather than in front of the driver, as with most big rig trucks these days, visibility is usually better, since there’s nothing protruding beyond the windshield.
What you say is true, but cabovers pound the driver–sitting directly over the axle means every bump goes right up the driver’s spine. Also, the noise/vibration issues are very pronounced.
I agree with you. When I was in high school, my stepdad had a Mitsubishi van, similar in most respects to the Toyota van of the time. I’ve driven the van alot, and I remember it, not so much being unbearably noisy, but its ride being uncomfortable.
Not if you keep clear of American brands, European and Japanese truck makers provide a quiet cab and smooth ride.
My stepdad had a Mitsubishi van (Delica in most markets outside North America). It wasn’t terribly noisy, and it rode quite comfortably all things considered. My most serious complaint was its lack of rear-wheel traction.
Now THAT’s my kind of mini-truck. Love it!
The truck is the regular size, the guy standing next to it is 13 feet tall 🙂
If you’re looking for a neat little cab-forward runabout, might I suggest something like the Toro Workman? I drove one last summer working for Parks and Rec; even with a 3-speed manual it’s pretty zippy. Only thing is it’s probably not road-legal.
John Deere makes (made?) a similar machine called the ProGator with a 5-speed, but top speed isn’t quite 20 mph.
This is a half-scale (roughly) Freightliner COE that was built by Hyster as a shop project cum promotional vehicle in the late 60s/early 70s. The really cool thing is that Hyster actually used it as part of their delivery fleet for a while.
It currently resides in the Pacific NW Truck Museum in Brooks Oregon, just North of Salem alongside all sorts of other CC worthy stuff.
Other than the difficulty of getting in through the tiny doors this would make an awesome utility truck.
I remember seeing a Daihatsu Hijet when I was visiting Disneyland several years ago. I remember asking “what the hell is that?” It looked like something that could be driven on a small neighbourhood street, where car traffic isn’t very busy. It looked too small for busy city streets, but it’d be perfect for neighbourhoods, maybe Neighbourhood Watch, etc.
I saw a few in the US as site vehicles, I dare say the cost is similar to a John Deere Gator. Also lots of Isuzu NPR type cabover trucks, some with V8s. Over here you have to wait until the diesel engine blows up and then decide it costs the same to convert to a V8 on LPG as it does to rebuild the diesel engine. Mind you the increase in the price of LPG has probably changed that equation in recent years.
Not just 100% American;100% Oregonian. Though Freightliner’s corporate parents were usually from farther afield.
This really looks like a toy dump truck. But it does have a 3 cylinder 25 hp diesel engine and its load capacity is nearly 2,000 lbs. It’s a Grillo Transporter PK600 4WD. Oh, they charge you extra for the doors.
i have contended for a long time that something like that would be all I needed. The golf course trucks would be enough but it would have to be street legal. Love it.
The truck museum at Powerland is really cool, hell the whole place is really cool! Might have to go back this summer myself.
I’d want my next truck to be anything built before 1980. I’d buy a 1977 Toyota pickup truck. I’d buy a 1972 GMC Sierra Grande Camper Special. I might buy a 1966 Chevy C30.
They’re so cute when they’re babies…
Would like to know how much the little cab over is